What Makes a White-Sand Beach 'White Sand?'

Question:

Dear Wendy,

Where is the best place to go in the U.S. for true white sand beaches? If there's an all-inclusive resort there, even better. Thanks,

Linda G.

Answer:

The beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast—particularly the Panhandle (such as Pensacola Beach and Panama City Beach) and the southwest coast (such as Sanibel Island and the Florida Keys)—have the whitest sand in the U.S. That’s because there’s only one mineral in the sand there: pure white quartz crystal. The prettiest of these white-sand beaches, according to Stephen Leatherman (Dr. Beach), is Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota. There aren’t too many first-rate all-inclusives on these beaches, though; those tend to be in the Caribbean.

Personally, I like The Sandpearl in Clearwater Beach—a strand so white and soft that you’d swear you’re walking on baby powder. (It's one of my favorite family-friendly resorts.) It’s not all-inclusive, but the total you’ll spend, including airfare, is likely no more than what you’d spend for a Caribbean all-inclusive vacation anyway.